Page 34 of Visions of Darkness

But he’d never seen any of their Laven family ever arrive in Tearsith in a state like this before. And his gut told him whatever had happened was bad.

Ellis suddenly stood and waved an arm at their family, the crowd roiling in the disquiet that hummed in the air. “Everyone, give us space. It is nearing time to descend on Faydor. Prepare yourselves.”

Then he returned, the old man’s voice held low in distress. “Could she have been in Faydor? By herself?”

Rage filled Pax at the thought.

“No. She couldn’t have been. She would never descend on her own.”

She wouldn’t. Not without him.

“Then she must have been injured while awake.” Ellis’s voice was grim, covered in care and concern.

Pax’s insides turned molten. He would destroy anyone who had dared touch her.

Josephine set a hand on his forearm, no doubt sensing his anger. “She needs to remain in Tearsith for the night so she can recover. Stay with her.”

He held back the menacing laughter that threatened his throat. Nothing could force him to leave her side.

Still, he nodded. “I will watch over her.”

“Take care of her, my son,” Ellis said before he took Josephine’s hand as they prepared to descend into Faydor.

A swell of protectiveness roiled in his gut as he watched them.

Pax hated the idea of Ellis and Josephine walking in darkness. Their bodies were frail, carrying the weight of a lifetime of wounds and burdens. Yet they still raced through the evils each night, and they took on the injuries that would follow them into the day.

The excruciating pain.

Pax had no love for his human family. But this? It was like watching his grandparents being beaten each night.

When he had suggested it was time they rest, Ellis had refused. He’d reminded Pax it was what they’d been created to do, and he would fight the wickedness until the day he went on to rest in eternity.

Pax remained with Aria as he watched their family file toward the invisible gateway that led to Faydor.

Each couple stepped forward, striking in a blinding flash of light before they disappeared.

Dani and her Nol, Timothy, had trailed behind. Worry churned in their gazes as they peered back.

Of any of their Laven family, Pax and Aria were closest to Timothy and Dani.

A friendship had formed. A bond of understanding. It had been forged like metal during the years when Pax had fought by their sides while Aria had remained within the safety of Tearsith.

Timothy held Pax’s stare with a knowing concern written in his expression. He was in his early thirties, a tall, slender Black man, his hair cropped short.

The guy was full of life. Always willing to give and sacrifice. Compared with what Pax knew, he had lived a seminormallife, feeling comfortable enough to blend in and function in society. His eyes were the same pale gray as the rest of their family, and he always joked that he made good use of sunglasses to ward off the gawkers, though Pax knew that wouldn’t be possible to do at all times, especially since he had become a teacher, claiming children were his calling, both in night and day.

There to teach and to protect.

It was clear tonight that Timothy warred with that calling, torn between staying and going.

Pax dipped his chin at him, promising they were fine.

Dani’s wave was reluctant before they turned and stepped toward the gateway that rippled in the woods. They flashed a brilliant light before they were gone.

None would return to Tearsith tonight. They would fight until they were awakened or were burned.

Pax shifted to look down where Aria slept on the bed of grass.

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